Miles M.38 Messenger
В ответ на частную инициативу некоторых офицеров британской Армии, поступившую в июне 1942 года, в компании "Майлз" спроектировали и построили прототип наблюдательного самолета. Заказчики оговорили следующие требования: ДальшеMore>>>
экипаж из двух человек, наличие радиостанции и бронезащиты, способность взлетать и садиться на окруженные лесом грунтовые площадки. Прототип M.38 представлял собой низкоплан с крылом консольного типа и неубираемым шасси с хвостовой опорой.
На M.38 установили мотор жидкостного охлаждения de Havilland Gipsy Major. Крыло было оснащено неподвижными щелевыми закрылками. Первый полет прототип выполнил 12 сентября 1942 года и сразу продемонстрировал великолепные взлетно-посадочные данные. Летчикам наблюдательной эскадрильи, в которой разрешили провести испытания прототипа, самолет очень понравился. Однако необычная конструкция машины и "нелегальные" испытания вызвали шок в Министерстве авиации, запретившей запуск прототипа в серию. Тем не менее в конце 1943 года поступил заказ на небольшую партию таких самолетов в связном варианте. Всего построили 21 самолет M.38 Messenger. Эти машины использовали некоторые высокопоставленные офицеры, в том числе фельдмаршал Бернард Монтгомери и маршал авиации лорд Теддер. Еще 71 самолет собрали после окончания войны для гражданского использования, таким образом, в общей сложности было построено 92 самолета. В 1944 году на одной машине установили обычные закрылки и мотор Blackburn Cirrus Major мощностью 150 л. с, испытания самолет проходил под обозначением M.48 Messenger 3. Его летные данные были несколько выше, чем у стандартного M.38; в серийное производство Messenger 3 не передавался.
M.38
Размах крыла самолета Messenger в VIP-варианте составлял 11,02 м, максимальная скорость 187 км/ч, дальность полета 418 км. Этот G-AJEY разбился во Франции в июне 1947 года.
The three-seat Messenger 2B G-AGPX was used as a testbed for the Blackburn Cirrus Major 3, destined to become the standard engine for the Messenger 2A.
Air Schools' first commercial air service employed Miles Messenger 2A G-AILL on a charter flight to the Isle of Man on August 21, 1947.
Messenger 2A G-AKBN (note the oval rear window), photographed in October 1949.
Messenger 2A G-AKIM photographed flying from Fairoaks in April 1962. At the time it was owned by racing driver Innes Ireland.
Messenger 2A G-AKIO was owned by Lotus Cars Ltd when this photograph was taken in April 1962.
John Stroud was invited to join airport pilot Geoffrey Gray in the cockpit of Miles Messenger 2A G-AKKK of the Boston Aero Club for a demonstration of slow flying. The local press was certainly impressed, stating that ‘‘the amazingly slow speed at which he piloted the Messenger over the ’drome had to be seen to be believed”.
The concours d’elegance at Ingoldmells, which served the Butlin’s holiday camp at Skegness, in August 1950, including Miles Gemini 1A G-ALUG (c/n 6320), owned by the one-armed Dr James Daly, and Miles Messenger G-AKKK (c/n 6712), based nearby at Boston (Wyberton). In the background are McAlpine’s de Havilland Dragon Rapide G-ALBC and Bond Air Services’ D.H.86B G-ADVJ.
Miles Gemini G-ALUG, in the foreground here, won the concours d’elegance at the 1950 rally, and was flown by Dr J.P. Daly, who, according to the Skegness Standard, “has only one arm, having lost his left arm some time ago ... he has a special metal attachment to handle flying instruments”. Behind the Gemini is Miles Messenger G-AKKK.
Derby Aviation's first Dakota G-ANTD on the apron in front of the Municipal Hangar in April 1955, fresh from conversion to civilian standards at Exeter. To the rear are Messenger G-AKKO, an Auster and a former Royal Navy Anson I.
Built for the RAF as Messenger I RH425, this aircraft was civilianised to Mk 4A standard, receiving its C of A in November 1948. In February 1954 G-ALAF was sold in New Zealand as ZK-BED.
As RH378 this Messenger served as Field Marshal Montgomery's second Messenger during World War Two. After receiving a C of A in September 1948 the aircraft crashed at Elstree on July 2, 1949.
Three fins on a smaller scale belong to EI-AGU, once more restored to its original British marks, G-AJYZ. It will be well remembered as the machine raced by Waiter Bowles a few years ago and later sold to C. C. Callagham of Dublin.
Messenger I RG327 was built in 1944 and was later converted to Mk 4A standard and registered G-ALBE in August 1948. The aircraft was dismantled in Ireland in 1965.
The Miles M-38 Messenger Light Communications Monoplane (140 h.p. D.H. Gipsy-Major engine).
One of Monty’s Messengers taking off on a communications flight in mid-1945.
RAF Messengers were powered by the 145 h.p. de Havilland Gipsy Major engine, with fine-pitch propeller. Although there were plans to build 250 Mk Is, only 21 were produced.
Miles Messenger 2A G-AJOE, rebuilt by the Cotswold Aircraft Restoration Group, currently masquerades as RH378, Field Marshal Montgomery's second Messenger. The original RH378, later G-ALBR, crashed at Elstree in July 1949.
Well-known photograph of Field Marshal Montgomery in front of one of the Messengers he used during the latter part of World War Two. With its short, steep take-off and landing capabilities the Messenger was ideal for Montgomery to keep in touch with his commanders during the closing phases of the war. Lord Tedder, Marshal of the Royal Air Force, also used a Messenger for similar tasks.
Miles M.38 Messenger 2A, owned by Jim Buckingham and photographed by AUSTIN J.BROWN near Filton on May 12, 1984.
This recent view of Miles Messenger G-AIEK/RG333 was taken by BOB EVANS
The Messenger's wide-chord one-piece wing with its large, non-retractable, external aerofoil flaps is particularly evident in this photograph of a survivor of the breed.
M.48
The prototype Miles M-48 Four-seat Cabin Monoplane (150 h.p. Cirrus Major engine).
The Miles M.48, built with fully retractable flaps and originally flown with B Class markings U-0247, seen flying from Woodley on May 29, 1946 registered G-AGOY and with Ken Waller as pilot.
Two views of the sole Miles M-48, which was fitted with retractable external aerofoil flaps.
"All she needs is a new set of plugs and a coat of paint"
The Miles M-38 Messenger.
The Miles M-38 Messenger.
E. J. Riding’s three-view drawing of the Messenger I is reproduced courtesy of Aeromodeller.
Wikipedia